Source: Provocateur Co-Owner Provokes The IRS

A tipster tells us Lionel "KyKy" Conille, co-owner of the deceased Merkato 55 and new-ish Provocateur illegally purchased over $300,000 worth of booze--how bootleggy!--and owes the IRS taxes on over $2 million in state wages paid in 2008. And all of it just in time for the dreaded April 15th. -

Our source alleges that while at Merkato 55--the African-themed Meatpacking District restaurant and bar known for its raucous Saturday brunches--Conille and his partners in AM Operating Group LLC:

Illegally bought between $300,000 and $600,000 worth of liquor from improper vendors after Empire and Southern Liquor distributors had cut them off from purchasing liquor thanks to past due invoices.

Misrepresented themselves and their establishment to the local community board while applying for a liquor license.